NBHC Sustainability
May 02, 2018
As of Jan. 2019, Ontario long-term care home operators can face fines of up to $10,000 each time they're found to be in contravention of the province's quality standards. Furthermore, criminal prosecutions could result in fines of up to $200,000 for a first offence and $500,000 for subsequent offences. According to CMAJ, enforcing standards should lead to better quality of care at facilities. However, it worries that the penalties are so severe that it could trap operators in a cycle whereby there's less money to make the necessary changes because of hefty sanctions. However, CMAJ notes that in 2017, 14% of LTC facilities in Ontario failed to comply with at least one order when the enforcement measures weren't in place.